Be aware there’s a tram there

Sydney’s newest light rail which will operate between Circular Quay via Moore Park to Randwick and Kingsford has started tram testing.

Sydney’s current operating light rail system, the Inner West Light Rail, mostly uses a dedicated rail corridor with very few interactions with pedestrians, cyclists or motorists. Not so the CBD and South East Light Rail (CSELR) which will run trams along busy CBD streets – George Street and Eddy Avenue – into Surry Hills along Devonshire Street before heading through Moore Park and splitting to either travel along Alison Road to Randwick or Anzac Parade to Kingsford.

So how do you interact with the trams? Transport for NSW has launched a safety campaign “Be Aware, There’s A Tram There” to educate road users, pedestrians and cyclists about how to safely operate and move about near the light rail during the testing and commissioning phase of the project which is now underway.

The safety campaign will continue to be expanded when testing ramps up in other areas along the alignment in coming months, targeting busy pedestrian precincts such as George Street in the CBD.

As testing expands across the alignment, strata owners, residents, managers and strata service providers need to be on the lookout for trams and remember:

Road conditions may have changed

Trams cannot stop easily or quickly

Trams are quiet, pedestrians should look out (both directions) before they step out

Bicycle riders are not permitted to ride in the tram lanes, and when travelling through an intersection must cross the tracks on an angle

For those living along the light rail route, be mindful that hazard zones are established during the testing and commissioning phase to help identify areas of increased risk including electrical hazards and tram movements. For strata committees intending to do maintenance or remedial work around their buildings a Permit to Work near the rail corridor is required before proceeding. Make sure your strata service provider is aware of this requirement.

It’s important to remember that there are live overhead wires along the alignment, except for the section from Circular Quay to Town Hall, and that there is a three-metre hazard zone around the wires. The following are examples of the types of activities that may require a permit when working in or near a hazard zone:

Erecting ladders or scaffolding

Establishing work stations

Tree pruning

Operating excavators, cranes or any other plant equipment

Operating forklifts or any other heavy machinery

Delivering equipment/goods from large or oversize vehicles

Consider if there might be maintenance such as window washing, exterior painting or other remedial works that might require an elevated work platform, cherry-picker or crane and please contact the project team before proceeding. The project team will assess the works to determine whether a Permit to Work is required.

Permit requirements will change once the light rail route is operational, however they may still be needed so always check with the operator.

Remember, trams are being tested day and night, so be aware, there’s a tram there.